Symbolism Of A Goodman

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Symbolism of a Goodman

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote “Young Goodman Brown” in 1835. This story tells about a man’s day in his so called peaceful life. He follows a man on a journey to a meeting where he sees all the “nice” townspeople doing this very evil thing. Three symbols play very big parts though out the story they are Young Goodman Brown, his wife, Faith and the color pink.

Young Goodman Brown is the most used symbol throughout the story. Not himself but, his name. Young shows that he is a young a new person in the town and is learning new ways. Goodman tells exactly what it says he is a good man, he very good with his life and the man with his wife, Faith and he wants nothing to do with anything does not involve her, ’”What a wretch am I to leave her on such a errand”’(634) . And lastly Brown which tells that he is a common man he’s no king or anyone famous. Putting the name
together Young Goodman Brown is an everyday man just living a day at a time.
Faith, his wife is also a symbol though out the story. Right away in the story Brown leaves Faith on his way on this journey. Leaving Faith shows he is leaving faith in God as she is also since she went to attend this meeting of evil. Brown going on this journey instead of staying with Faith they both end up losing the faith they had in God. ‘“Faith! Faith!” cried the husband, “look up to heaven, and resist the wicked one”’ (642). Calling for his wife did not help him get his wife back from the devil having him lose his faith in God also. Even though he put his faith against Faith he ended up losing all.

Also, in the story the color pink is used as a symbol. Pink is used to tell different situations When Brown and Faith were very happy Faith, “letting the wind play with the pink ribbons of her cap while she called to Goodman Brown” (634).

When Brown was on his journey and knew evil was around “But s...